DON'T JUST SEE THE WORLD. CONNECT WITH IT.
Who we are
... is where we go.
ZAYLA is the Saharian name for camel — the heart of nomadic life. For desert people, the camel is more than transport. It is freedom, survival, and connection.
Nomads say:
«With camels, we travel the desert. With women, we travel life.»
ZAYLA stands for movement between worlds:
between erg and reg desert,
between sun and sea,
between mountains and valleys,
between oasis and open land.
This is the land of nomadic people — and the philosophy behind ZAYLA Travel.
Our Philosophy
Nomadic cultures have traveled lightly for centuries — adapting, sharing, respecting nature, and living in community.
ZAYLA Travel is inspired by this wisdom.
We create journeys based on:
sustainability over consumption
connection over comfort
presence over speed
Our tours are designed according to the local way — rooted in community, flexibility, resourcefulness, and mutual respect — combined with modern standards of responsible tourism.
We focus on:
zero plastic and ecological travel
fair income and cultural ownership for locals
small groups and customized experiences
Our purpose is to share the values and lifestyle of desert cultures with the modern world — an ancient knowledge that offers powerful answers to today’s global challenges.
Journeys through the Sahara & beyond
Like the desert, ZAYLA has many faces and even more stories.
From silent dunes to lively medinas, from Atlas mountain roads to hidden oasis — every journey is different.
You’ll meet the people behind the turbans and malhafa, share tea, music, stories, and time.
Our experiences don’t aim to impress.
They aim to transform.
By traveling with us, you actively support local communities in preserving and adapting their nomadic way of life — not as folklore, but as a living culture.
ZAYLA Travel is part of modern nomadism: honoring tradition while shaping a future rooted in freedom, harmony, and community.
Team
ZAYLA Travel belongs to a diverse team whose shared vision is to bridge nomadic wisdom and modern travelers — resourcefully, respectfully, and consciously.
«Life without travel is like a tree in the middle of the desert without water.»
Hamid Zalzouli
Hamid was born and raised in the Sahara, between school life and nomadic family traditions. During school holidays, he always returned to the desert — living the rhythms of nomadic life and working as a camel guide for tourists.
After training as a mechanic, he became a driving guide, organizing tours across deserts and mountains. In 2018, he qualified as a licensed professional guide by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.
His vision:
To build a desert camp that repopulates the area, creates local jobs, and allows young people to stay connected to the land — while guests can rest, learn, and experience desert culture in its purest form.
«Fantasy is what people want, but reality is what they need.»
- Lauryn HIll -
Kaja Gebremariam
With roots in Switzerland and Ethiopia, Kaja first visited South Morocco in 2006. The transformative power of the Sahara — its vastness, simplicity, and hospitality — kept calling her back.
Her deep concern for the future of the planet led her to study humanities and political communication, guided by one question: How can modern societies live in harmony with nature — and with each other?
In 2022, she followed that question across the globe, traveling to places where indigenous knowledge is still alive.
ZAYLA Travel became the space where her passion turnes into purpose — transforming vision into lived reality.
Naru
Nomad dog.
Guardian of Hamid's Camp.
Loves to hunt shadows and mouses.
Contact
We are happy to hear from you. Whether you have a question, would like to discuss a travel idea, or need more information about our experiences, feel free to get in touch.
Contact Form
Send us a message through our contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.